AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

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Fortunus returning to Texas

July 16, 2013

The Texas Stars announced Monday that the club has signed defenseman Maxime Fortunus to a two-year American Hockey League contract through the 2014-15 season.

Fortunus, 29, is an original member of the Texas Stars, having played all four years of the franchise's existence. The La Prairie, Que., native was selected as the Stars' third captain in team history in 2012-13 and had 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) and 16 penalty minutes in 67 regular-season games, helping the Stars to their first division championship. Fortunus also appeared in all nine Calder Cup Playoff games for Texas, registering one assist.

Undrafted out of the QMJHL, Fortunus has played in 699 career professional games over the course of his 10 pro seasons, including 568 games in the AHL where he has totaled 49 goals and 131 assists for 180 points with Houston (2003-05), Manitoba (2005-09) and Texas (2010-13). Fortunus has also appeared in 94 AHL playoff games -- tied for 18th all-time -- and reached the Calder Cup Finals in 2009 and 2010.

Fortunus has played in eight career NHL games, all with Dallas in 2009-10.

In Cedar Park, Fortunus has appeared in 272 career regular-season games for Texas, which is the most of any defenseman in team history and fourth overall. He leads the franchise among defenseman in almost every offensive category: goals (29), assists (76), points (105), power-play goals (11), power-play assists (31) and shots (410). Fortunus ranks fourth overall in club history in assists and points, fifth in shots, ninth in goals and 13th in penalty minutes. He is one of only three players, along with Colton Sceviour and Francis Wathier, to play in all 39 Calder Cup Playoff games in Texas Stars history.